Natural gas explosion closed parts of I-77 in West Virginia - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather, and Sports

Natural gas explosion closed parts of I-77 in West Virginia

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WEST VIRGINIA (WKOW) -- Crews have their hands full cleaning and repairing Interstate 77 following a massive natural gas line explosion in West Virginia. Fortunately, no one was killed, however several people were treated for smoke inhalation and four homes were destroyed. Several others were damaged.

The explosion closed a major commuter route for those in and around the state's capital. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin said a roughly 800-foot section in both directions was baked by the heat.

Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox said crews planned to work overnight removing the asphalt and grinding the roadway down to the original concrete before repaving. The state hopes to have the highway reopened by Wednesday night.

Federal and state officials are investigating what caused the explosion.

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